Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the government’s move towards decriminalising suicide is the first step in efforts to improve mental healthcare in the country.
“(Decriminalising suicide) is the first step in removing stigma from suicide. Then we launch big campaigns such as the ‘Are You Okay?’ campaign so that we normalise seeking help and treatment (for mental health issues).
“We also need to ensure that there is accessibility (to mental health services). We launch a campaign, we have a strategic plan, but at the end of the day, are these services accessible to people who want them? That’s really what matters,” Khairy said.
He was speaking during the launch of the Mental Health Strategic Plan (2020-2025), which was livestreamed online today via video conference and social media, in conjunction with World Mental Health Day.
He explained that because attempted suicide is currently a crime under the Penal Code, suicide is an issue that falls under the ambit of the police and not the Health Ministry.
Even statistics related to suicide have to be taken from the police, he added.
“And if there was a suicide attempt, the person who shows up at the house of the family (of the person who attempted suicide) is the police.
“If you have mental health issues, with all due respect but the last person you want to see is the police.
“That’s why it has to be taken out (of the Penal Code) so they can be treated by the right people,” Khairy said.
Previously, his deputy Aaron Ago Dagang had revealed in the Dewan Rakyat that efforts to decriminalise suicide is moving forward after the Home Ministry and Attorney-General’s Chambers have agreed to it.
During the launch today, Khairy also stressed the importance of more holistic healthcare, saying that physical health and mental health are interlinked and can affect each other.
For now, he intends to revive the suggestion to have a National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health.
“It will not just be about research but also a place for us to really have state of the art (technology and treatment) as well as an accessible place for people to come for mental health issues,” he said.
Unplug
Khairy, who described himself as being “big on digital tools”, said the government will also invest in more features for the MySejahtera app to include mental health screening as well as provide accessibility to treatment and counsellors.
When asked about his own approach to taking care of his mental health, the health minister said he tries to “self-regulate”.
“Different people have different approaches, some people use spirituality to confront mental health challenges and that is part of my approach as well.
“For me, I try to regulate my mental health. Every day there must be time for us to unplug completely, not just from smart devices but unplug from all mental stress.
“During that time, you can do whatever you want such as meditate or yoga, but that is your sacred time with yourself, yourself and God, yourself and your thoughts aside from things related to your work,” he said. - Mkini
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